Update: 50th positive COVID-19 case had recent travel history

The Ministry of Health has issued an update regarding the number of COVID-19 tests which have been carried out to date.

The Ministry said as of Sunday afternoon, 306 samples have been submitted to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA for testing.

Of this, the number of positive cases remains at 50.

The Ministry noted that 40 of these cases recently returned from a cruise and were immediately quarantined.

"It should be noted that 40 of these positive cases came from the group of nationals who recently returned from a cruise. Additionally, the fiftieth (50th) positive COVID-19 case had a recent travel history."

"The Ministry of Health confirms that all positive COVID-19 cases, thus far, have been imported."

The public is advised to continue to practice regular handwashing, safe distancing and self-isolating if they experience flu-like symptoms:

Wash your hands properly with soap and water

Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water and soap are not available

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze

Dispose of tissue immediately after using

Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow if you do not have a tissue

Avoid touching your face

Sanitize hard surfaces (e.g. tabletops, handrails, doorknobs and trolleys) as often as possible.

Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms

Stay home if you are ill

It is also advised that all public transportation vehicles should operate with windows open and, where possible, limit their occupancy.

The Ministry said it will continue to provide accurate information to the public in a timely fashion.

The public is therefore urged to disregard and avoid sharing all unconfirmed, misleading and/or false information about COVID-19 (formerly Novel Coronavirus).

Update March 22, 2020, 11.32 am:

The Ministry of Health clarified that the 50th positive COVID-19 case (also known as the novel coronavirus) had a recent travel history.

The Ministry issued an update to a statement on Sunday morning in which the tally of positive cases had increased to 50.

The Ministry stated that all positive cases to date are imported, meaning they originated outside of the country.

Original story:

As of March 22, 2020, at 9.08 am, the Health Ministry confirmed 50 positive cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The statement is as follows:

Port-of-Spain, March 22, 2020: As part of the national drive to safeguard the health of the Trinidad and Tobago population in the face of the global COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Health continues to provide up-to-date information on the country’s status in this regard.

Thus, as of the morning of Sunday, 22nd March 2020 the Ministry reports the following:

- Number of samples submitted to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing for COVID-19 = 298

- Number of samples which have tested positive = 50

It should be noted that 40 of these positive cases came from the group of nationals who recently returned from a cruise.

The fact remains that all positive COVID-19 cases, thus far, have been imported.

The public is also urged to take the following personal hygiene measures to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19:

- Wash your hands properly with soap and water

- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water and soap are not available

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze

- Dispose of tissue immediately after using

- Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow if you do not have a tissue

It is also advised that all public transportation vehicles should operate with windows open and, where possible, limit their occupancy.

The Ministry will continue to provide accurate information to the public in a timely fashion. The public is therefore urged to disregard and avoid sharing all unconfirmed, misleading and/or false information about COVID-19 (formerly Novel Coronavirus).

This is a developing story, please refresh the page for updates.

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